Gliding down the runway in unabashed glory and fervently brightening our feeds, there’s one particular colour that seems to be spread very thin this season: butter yellow.
As a girlie who loves her neutrals, I’ve never been keen on yellow clothes. In fact, I’ve consciously avoided them. But the sun’s recent cameos and the fact that the fashion set seems to have adopted the shade as a new neutral has got me seriously considering adding a splash of the colour trend to my SS25 wardrobe.
Shop our fave butter yellow picks
Pretty Lavish Riviera Hardware Knit Midaxi Dress
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Pretty Lavish Aria Halterneck Ruffle Midaxi Dress
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At Chloé, buttery silhouettes were sandwiched between romantic florals and dainty pastels while 16 Arlington’s parade of looks was punctuated with the rich, yellow hue. Meanwhile, workwear ensembles and black accessories juxtaposed the hue’s softness at Toteme, a case in point that wearing yellow doesn’t have to be an OTT affair.
The runways aren’t alone in singing the praises of this mellow yellow – fashion editors, celebs and influencers are drenched in it. From Valerie Zhang sporting a diaphanous two-piece topped with Lacoste’s L003 Neo Shot fashion trainers on the cobbled streets of Paris to Tyla making a solid case for sequins outside the realm of the festive season in a vintage Galliano mini dress, you can consider me officially buttered up.
Yep, there’s no escaping the hue's slippery clutches this season. Even the high street wants a piece of the pie, with M&S, COS and Nobody's Child saturating their online storefronts with buttery goodness – good news for those of us who don’t have designer budgets.
“Our customers are loving the butter yellow trend,” says Nobody's Child CEO Jody Plows. “It’s our fastest-selling colour this season across dresses and tailoring. Our Cora dress has been the most popular; we’ve had 1000 sign-ups to the waiting list.”
Our fave butter yellow picks
Pretty Lavish Riviera Hardware Knit Midaxi Dress
ASOS Topshop Ash leather ruched ballet flat
Reformation Trish Knit Top
Columbia Paracutie cropped cargo windbreaker
Damson Madder quinn slouchy bag in butter yellow
The pressing question is: how are we wearing butter yellow? Keep scrolling for a dose of butter yellow outfit inspo.
How to wear butter yellow
Clash it with prints
Think: a bold striped shirt, a bright silk scarf, red gingham and dare I say, cow print. The indulgent hue looks great with brown, so the Chocolate Striped Rugby Shirt from Lounge (yep, they do everyday clothes now, too) would look super cute with Reformation’s Layla Satin Skirt. Not sure how to treat your feet in this situ? Rita Ora confirms that ballet flats and socks are totally a thing, but biker boots would work nicely, too.
Wear it with black
While the thought of black and yellow might give you flashbacks of that earworm Wiz Khalifa tune from 2011 and conjure pictures of angry winged insects, the muted nature of butter yellow means you can style it like you would a cream, bone or white. If you want to bring some sunshine to an office siren look, I’d suggest opting for a wide-leg trouser like Damson Madder's Felix Jeans in Butter Business Stripe with an oversized black blazer. Pull on chunky patent loafers if you’re planning on getting your steps in, then switch to a black, pointed-toe mule for after-work drinks. A large bag like the & Other Stories Large Patent-Leather Tote Bag is the perfect functional finishing touch for a gal on the go.
Lean on denim
For those who simply want to dip a toe into the dish, the safest way to get the look without trying too hard is by pairing a simple statement piece with your fave denim. Opt for a light summer knit like the Super Soft Crew Neck Jumper from M&S or a structured blazer like Aligne’s Daphne Waisted Boucle Blazer in Soft Yellow. Pop on a dainty ballet pump like the Sam Edelman Michaela Flat and light-wash denim. Baby blues and pastel yellows are a match made in heaven.
Head-to-toe
I am a massive advocate for going head-to-toe with a colour trend. Dripping in butter for everything from your bestie’s wedding reception to your nan’s birthday dinner is a hell yes this summer. For super special occasions, go for sequins à la Tyla in Bardot’s Verona Sequin Maxi Dress. For something a little more reserved, ARRANGE’s premium waisted shirt midi dress in buttermilk with Damson Madder’s Quinn Slouchy bag in Butter Yellow and Zara’s Leather Slingback Strap Shoes will look gorge.
Step in satin
Andie Anderson’s spectacular bias-cut dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was dredged from the archives of rom-comdom last year and will forever be fabulous outfit inspo. To take a leaf out of our favourite journo’s book, choose butter yellow satin like the Amdra Maxi Dress in Vintage Yellow from Omnes for your next big event. Go rogue by styling with cherry red accessories for an ensemble that looks good enough to eat. À la mode!
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Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
